Strap securing systems for articles of footwear and other foot-receiving devices
Articles of footwear or other foot-receiving devices include an upper/foot-covering member having medial and lateral strap tensioning components located on opposite sides of the ankle area. A securing system is provided that includes: (i) a first strap portion extending across the instep area, engaging the lateral strap tensioning component, and extending in front of the foot-insertion opening to the medial ankle side (where it may be secured), and (ii) a second strap portion extending across the instep area, engaging the medial strap tensioning component, and extending in front of the foot-insertion opening and to the lateral ankle side (where it may be secured). The first and second strap portions cross one another at two separated crossing locations.
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The present invention relates to the field of footwear and other foot-receiving devices. More specifically, aspects of the present invention pertain to securing systems for articles of footwear and other foot-receiving devices that include crossing strap members.
BACKGROUNDConventional articles of athletic footwear include two primary elements, an upper and a sole structure. The upper provides a covering for the foot that securely receives and positions the foot with respect to the sole structure. In addition, the upper may have a configuration that protects the foot and provides ventilation, thereby cooling the foot and removing perspiration. The sole structure is secured to a lower surface of the upper and is generally positioned between the foot and any contact surface. In addition to attenuating ground reaction forces and absorbing energy, the sole structure may provide traction and control potentially harmful foot motion, such as over pronation. General features and configurations of uppers and sole structures are discussed in greater detail below.
The upper forms a void on the interior of the footwear for receiving the foot. The void has the general shape of the foot, and access to the void is provided at an ankle or foot-insertion opening. Accordingly, the upper extends over the instep and toe areas of the foot, along the medial and lateral sides of the foot, and around the heel area of the foot. A lacing system often is incorporated into the upper to selectively change the size of the ankle opening and to permit the wearer to modify certain dimensions of the upper, particularly girth, to accommodate feet with varying proportions. In addition, the upper may include a tongue that extends under the lacing system to enhance the comfort of the footwear (e.g., to modulate pressure applied to the foot by the laces), and the upper also may include a heel counter to limit or control movement of the heel.
The sole structure generally incorporates multiple layers that are conventionally referred to as an “insole,” a “midsole,” and an “outsole.” The insole (which also may constitute a sock liner) is a thin member located within the upper and adjacent the plantar (lower) surface of the foot to enhance footwear comfort, e.g., to wick away moisture. The midsole, which is traditionally attached to the upper along the upper's entire length, forms the middle layer of the sole structure and serves a variety of purposes that include controlling foot motions and attenuating impact forces. The outsole forms the ground-contacting element of footwear and usually is fashioned from a durable, wear-resistant material that includes texturing or other features to improve traction.
The primary element of a conventional midsole is a resilient, polymer foam material, such as polyurethane or ethylvinylacetate (“EVA”), that extends throughout the length of the footwear. The properties of the polymer foam material in the midsole are primarily dependent upon factors that include the dimensional configuration of the midsole and the specific characteristics of the material selected for the polymer foam, including the density of the polymer foam material. By varying these factors throughout the midsole, the relative stiffness, the degree of ground reaction force attenuation, and the energy absorption properties may be altered to meet the specific demands of the activity for which the footwear is intended to be used.
Terminology/General InformationFirst, some general terminology and information is provided that will assist in understanding various portions of this specification and the invention(s) as described herein. As noted above, the present invention relates to the field of footwear and other foot-receiving devices, including securing systems for such devices. “Foot-receiving device” means any device into which a user places at least some portion of his or her foot. In addition to all types of footwear (described below), foot-receiving devices include, but are not limited to: bindings and other devices for securing feet in snow skis, cross country skis, water skis, snowboards, and the like; bindings, clips, or other devices for securing feet in pedals for use with bicycles, exercise equipment, and the like; bindings, clips, or other devices for receiving feet during play of video games or other games; and the like. “Foot-receiving devices” may include one or more “foot-covering members” (e.g., akin to footwear upper components), which help position the foot with respect to other components or structures and one or more “foot-supporting members” (e.g., akin to footwear sole structure components), which support at least some portion(s) of a plantar surface of a user's foot. “Securing systems,” like those in accordance with at least some aspects of this invention, may help position and/or securely hold the user's foot in place with respect to the foot-covering member(s) and/or the foot-supporting member(s). “Footwear” means any type of wearing apparel for the feet, and this term includes, but is not limited to: all types of shoes, boots, sneakers, sandals, thongs, flip-flops, mules, scuffs, slippers, sport-specific shoes (such as golf shoes, tennis shoes, baseball cleats, soccer or football cleats, ski boots, basketball shoes, cross training shoes, etc.), and the like. “Foot-supporting members” may include components for and/or functioning as midsoles and/or outsoles for articles of footwear (or components providing corresponding functions in non-footwear type foot-receiving devices).
First, as illustrated in
Also, various example features and aspects of this invention are disclosed or explained herein with reference to a “longitudinal direction” and/or with respect to a “longitudinal length” of a footwear/foot-receiving device component 100 (such as a footwear sole structure). As shown in
Once the longitudinal direction of a component or structure 100 has been determined with the component 100 oriented on a horizontal support surface S, planes may be oriented perpendicular to this longitudinal direction (e.g., planes running into and out of the page of
The terms “strap” and “strap portions” as used herein, unless otherwise noted, mean a band of material having: (a) a substantially greater width dimension (“W”) than a thickness dimension (“T”) and (b) a substantially greater length dimension (“L”) than width dimension. As some more specific examples, “straps” or “strap portions” in accordance with at least some examples of this invention will have one or more of: (a) a width dimension to thickness dimension ratio (“W/T”) over at least 75% of its longitudinal length of at least 5, (b) an absolute width dimension W of at least 10 mm over at least 75% of its length L, (c) an absolute thickness dimension T of less than 3 mm over at least 75% of its length L, and/or (d) an absolute length dimension L of at least 2.5 times its widest width dimension over that length. A “strap” or “strap portion” may be connected to or integrally formed with another element or component that is not a “strap” or “strap portion.”
As some more specific examples, “straps” or “strap portions” in accordance with at least some examples of this invention may have one or more of:
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- a. a W/T ratio over at least 75% of the strap's length of at least 7.5, at least 10, at least 15, at least 20, or at least 25; in some examples, these W/T ratio ranges will be provided over at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or even over 100% of the strap's length;
- b. a W/T ratio over at least 75% of strap's length in a range of 5 to 50, in a range of 7.5 to 48, or in a range of 10 to 45; in some examples, these W/T ratio ranges will be provided over at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or even over 100% of the strap's length;
- c. an absolute thickness dimension of less than 2.5 mm or less than 2 mm over at least 75% of the strap's length; in some examples, these thickness dimension ranges will be provided over at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or even over 100% of the strap's length;
- d. an absolute width dimension over at least 75% of the strap's length of at least 15 mm or at least 18 mm; in some examples, these width dimension ranges will be provided over at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or even over 100% of the strap's length;
- e. an absolute width dimension over at least 75% of the strap's length within a range from 10 to 75 mm, and in some examples, within a range from 15 to 65 mm or within a range from 18 to 60 mm; in some examples, these absolute strap width dimension ranges will be provided over at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or even over 100% of the strap's length;
- f. an absolute strap length of at least 3 times or at least 5 times the strap's widest width dimension over that length;
- g. an absolute width dimension that varies over the strap's length, e.g., tapers, stepwise changes, or otherwise varies in width from wider to narrower or vice versa (e.g., having a width of 40 to 60 mm at locations where engaged with and/or emerging from a sole structure and a width of 15 to 25 mm at its free end); and/or
- h. an absolute thickness dimension that varies over its length and/or width, e.g., tapers, stepwise changes, or otherwise varies in thickness from thicker to thinner or vice versa).
For determining the W/T ratios as described above, the width and thickness dimensions are measured at a common location on the strap structure. The strap's length dimension L may be measured as the dimension from: (a) a location where one end of the strap is fixed to the upper or sole structure (e.g., where the strap emerges from a location between the upper and the sole structure) and (b) a free end of the strap. The strap's thickness dimension T at a given point is measured as the direct distance (shortest distance) between a first major surface and a second major surface of the strap at that point. The strap's width dimension W at a given point is measured as the direct distance (shortest distance) from one side edge of the strap to its opposite side edge at that point. These measurements are made with the strap or strap portion held taut but not under a substantial tensile force (e.g., less than 0.1 kg tensile force).
While straps or strap portions may be stretchable or unstretchable, in the illustrated examples, the strap portions are unstretchable. The terms “not stretchable” or “unstretchable,” as used herein in this context, mean that the strap or strap portion stretches less than 5% of its unloaded longitudinal length under a tensile force of 10 kg.
SUMMARYThis Summary is provided to introduce some concepts relating to this invention in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the invention.
While potentially useful for any desired types or styles of shoes or foot-receiving devices, aspects of this invention may be of particular interest for athletic shoes, including basketball shoes (e.g., high top basketball shoes).
Some aspects of this invention relate to articles of footwear (or other foot-receiving devices) that include:
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- (A) an upper (or other foot-covering member) defining a foot-insertion opening, a lateral ankle side, a medial ankle side, and an instep area (forward of the foot-insertion opening), wherein the upper includes: (i) a medial strap tensioning component located on the medial ankle side, and (ii) a lateral strap tensioning component located on the lateral ankle side;
- (B) a sole structure (or other foot-supporting member) engaged with the upper (or foot-covering member), optionally engaged such that junctions between these elements may be located at a medial edge and/or a lateral edge of the article of footwear/foot-receiving device; and
- (C) a securing system engaged with the upper/foot-covering member, wherein the securing system includes: (i) a first strap portion extending across the instep area, engaging the lateral strap tensioning component, extending in front of the foot-insertion opening, and extending to the medial ankle side, and (ii) a second strap portion extending across the instep area, engaging the medial strap tensioning component, extending in front of the foot-insertion opening, and extending to the lateral ankle side,
- wherein the first and second strap portions cross one another at two separated crossing locations (one crossing location located forward of the other crossing location). The upper/foot-covering member further may include a medial strap securing component (e.g., a hook-and-loop fastener or other type of fastener) located on the medial side of the foot-insertion opening (e.g., between the foot-insertion opening and the medial strap tensioning component) for securing the first strap portion and/or a lateral strap securing component (e.g., a hook-and-loop fastener or other type of fastener) located on the lateral side of the foot-insertion opening (e.g., between the foot-insertion opening and the lateral strap tensioning component) for securing the second strap portion.
If desired, the medial strap tensioning component and/or the lateral strap tensioning component may be engaged with a heel reinforcement component, such as a heel counter or other relatively stiff or heavy fabric, textile, or plastic material, that extends around a rear heel area of the upper/foot-covering member. The strap tensioning component(s) may be mounted on straps or other elements that extend from the heel reinforcement component and/or are otherwise mounted to a component of the footwear/foot-receiving device structure.
The first strap portion and the second strap portion may be provided as independent and separate strap components or they may be opposite sides of a single strap member or other component (e.g., a component that extends beneath a plantar support surface between the upper/foot-covering member and the sole structure/foot-supporting member from the lateral side edge to the medial side edge). While other constructions are possible, the first strap portion may be fixedly engaged between the upper/foot-covering member and the sole structure/foot-supporting member at a first strap engagement or emerging location located forward of the first strap crossing location, and the second strap portion may be fixedly engaged between the upper/foot-covering member and the sole structure/foot-supporting member at a second strap engagement or emerging location located forward of the first strap crossing location.
At least some example articles of footwear/foot-receiving devices according to aspects of this invention may include one or more of the following constructions and/or orientations when a bottom surface of the sole structure/foot-supporting member rests on a horizontal surface:
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- (a) the sole structure/foot-supporting member defines a longitudinal direction and a longitudinal length L from a rearmost heel location to a forwardmost toe location;
- (b) a forward edge of the first strap portion meets the sole structure/foot-supporting member at the medial edge of the footwear/foot-receiving device structure at a first location forward of a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and located at a position 0.6L along the longitudinal direction, measured forward from the rearmost heel location (and in some examples, forward of planes at 0.55L, 0.65L, or 0.7L);
- (c) a forward edge of the second strap portion meets the sole structure/foot-supporting member at the lateral edge of the footwear/foot-receiving device structure at a second location forward of the plane located at position 0.6L (and in some examples, forward of planes at 0.55L, 0.65L, or 0.7L);
- (d) a rear edge of the first strap portion meets the sole structure/foot-supporting member at the medial edge of the footwear/foot-receiving device structure at a first location forward of a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and located at a position 0.55L along the longitudinal direction, measured forward from the rearmost heel location (and in some examples, forward of planes at 0.5L, 0.6L, or 0.65L); and/or
- (e) a rear edge of the second strap portion meets the sole structure/foot-supporting member at the lateral edge of the footwear/foot-receiving device structure at a second location forward of the plane located at position 0.55L (and in some examples, forward of planes at 0.5L, 0.6L, or 0.65L).
Additionally or alternatively, in some example footwear and foot-receiving device structures in accordance with this invention, the medial strap tensioning component will define a medial turning location for the second strap portion (e.g., a ring, loop, or other structure around which the second strap portion winds or wraps so as to change its extension direction) and the lateral strap tensioning component will define a lateral turning location for the first strap portion (e.g., a ring, loop, or other structure around which the first strap portion winds or wraps so as to change its extension direction). Such footwear and foot-receiving device structures may include one or more of the following constructions and/or orientations when a bottom surface of the sole structure/foot-supporting member rests on a horizontal surface:
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- (a) the sole structure/foot-supporting member defines a longitudinal direction and a longitudinal length L from a rearmost heel location to a forwardmost toe location;
- (b) at least some portion of the medial turning location (and optionally all of the medial turning location) is located rearward of a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and located at a position 0.4L along the longitudinal direction, measured forward from the rearmost heel location (and in some examples, rearward of planes located at 0.45L, 0.35L, or 0.3L);
- (c) at least some portion of the lateral turning location (and optionally all of the lateral turning location) is located rearward of the plane located at position 0.4L (and in some examples, rearward of planes located at 0.45L, 0.35L, or 0.3L);
- (d) at least some portion of the medial turning location (and optionally all of the medial turning location) is located between two spaced, parallel planes perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and located at positions 0.2L and 0.45L, respectively, along the longitudinal direction, measured forward from the rearmost heel location (and in some examples, between two spaced, parallel planes located at positions 0.25L and 0.4L);
- (e) at least some portion of the lateral turning location (and optionally all of the medial turning location) is located between the two spaced, parallel planes at positions 0.2L and 0.45L (and in some examples, between two spaced, parallel planes located at positions 0.25L and 0.4L); and/or
- (f) the medial and/or lateral strap turning locations may be located somewhat forward and downward from locations of a wearer's medial and/or lateral malleolus protuberances when a wearer's foot is secured in an article of footwear according to aspects of this invention that is properly sized for the wearer's foot.
Additional aspects of this invention relate to methods of making articles of footwear and/or other foot-receiving devices that include: (a) producing the various footwear/foot-receiving device components (e.g., an upper or foot-covering component) with medial and/or lateral strap tensioning components (e.g., located/oriented as described above and in more detail below); (b) engaging a securing system including first and/or second strap portions of the types described above (e.g., and in the orientations described above and in more detail below) with the upper/foot-covering member and/or sole structure/foot-supporting member; (c) producing and/or engaging the various footwear/foot-receiving device components (e.g., an upper or foot-covering component) with medial and/or lateral strap securing components (e.g., located/oriented as described above and in more detail below); and/or (d) joining the upper/foot-covering member(s), securing system, and sole structure/foot-supporting member(s) together so as to form a footwear/foot-receiving device product (optionally fixedly engaging the strap portion(s) between the upper/foot-covering member and the sole structure/foot-supporting member).
The foregoing Summary, as well as the following Detailed Description, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements in all of the various views in which that reference number appears.
The reader should understand that the attached drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONIn the following description of various examples of footwear and foot-receiving device structures and components according to the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration various example structures and environments in which aspects of the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other structures and environments may be utilized and that structural and functional modifications may be made from the specifically described structures without departing from the scope of the present invention.
I. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE ARTICLES OF FOOTWEAR OR OTHER FOOT-RECEIVING DEVICES ACCORDING TO THIS INVENTIONReferring to the figures and following discussion, various articles of footwear and features thereof in accordance with the present invention are disclosed. The footwear depicted and discussed are athletic shoes (e.g., basketball shoes), but the concepts disclosed with respect to this footwear may be applied to a wide range of athletic footwear styles, including, but not limited to: walking shoes, tennis shoes, soccer shoes, football shoes, basketball shoes, running shoes, and cross-training shoes. In addition, the concepts of the present invention may be applied to a wide range of non-athletic footwear, including work boots, sandals, loafers, and dress shoes, as well as to other foot-receiving devices.
The upper 202 may have any desired construction and/or may be made from any desired number of parts without departing from this invention. In some examples of this invention, the upper 202 will have a multiple layer construction, with various layers and/or combinations of layers at various locations so as to provide desired functions and/or characteristics, such breathability, abrasion/wear resistance, support for intended use, desired aesthetics, etc.
When present as a multi-layered upper construction, the upper 202 may be produced in any desired manner without departing from this invention, including in conventional manners as are known and used in the footwear art. As a more specific example, if desired, the upper 202 may include one or more “skin” layers 212 (e.g., a thin, thermoplastic elastomer sheet or membrane layer that provides abrasion resistance, support, desired aesthetics, etc.) made from a “no-sew” type material that may be adhered to an underlying mesh layer 214 (or other layer) using an adhesive or hot melt material, e.g., by application of heat and/or pressure. The mesh layer 214 provides a lightweight base and may be left exposed in certain areas to enhance breathability and flexibility at desired areas. As additional examples, if desired, the skin layer(s) 212 may be engaged with the underlying mesh layer 214 (or other layer) by cements or adhesives and/or by sewn seams. As yet additional examples, if desired, the upper 202 (or portions thereof) may be constructed by bonding various layers of materials using fusing techniques, e.g., as described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,429,835 and U.S. Pat. No. 8,321,984, each of which is entirely incorporated herein by reference.
The upper 202 may include other support elements at desired locations, optionally sandwiched between an exterior skin layer 212 and the underlying mesh layer 214 and/or other layers of the upper 202. Additionally or alternatively, additional support may be provided as an exterior upper structure as well. For example, as shown in the figures, a heel counter 218 (e.g., to support a wearer's heel) is provided as an exterior component in this example footwear structure 200. The heel counter 218, when present, may be made from a rigid, thin plastic material, such as PEBAX, TPU, fiber reinforced plastics (e.g., carbon fiber or fiberglass), or other polymeric material, and it may include one or more openings (e.g., to control flexibility, breathability, support characteristics; to reduce weight; etc.). As other options, the heel counter 218 also may be made (at least in part) from a heavy textile material (e.g., leather), if desired.
If necessary or desired, still additional supports and/or components may be provided in other areas of the shoe 200, such as in the forefoot or toe area (to provide protection and wear resistance, to provide shape support, etc.), at the lateral side or edge area near the fifth metatarsal head, etc. (e.g., to provide support for turning or cutting actions), at the medial side or edge area near the first metatarsal head, etc.
Other potential materials that may be used in uppers 202 in accordance with at least some examples of this invention (including for components 210L, 210M, 216, 218, etc.) include one or more of: synthetic leather, natural leather, textiles, thermoplastic polyurethanes, any combination of these materials, and/or any combinations of these materials with any of the other materials described above. As another potential feature, if desired, at least some portion(s) of the upper 202 may be formed by a knitting procedure, such as flat knitting, circular knitting, etc. Optionally, at least a majority (or even all) of the upper 202 may be formed using knitting procedures, in at least some examples of this invention. Knitted textile components can be used to provide lightweight, breathable, and comfortable upper constructions.
The sole structure 204 also can take on any desired construction, components, and the like without departing from this invention. In the illustrated example, the sole structure 204 includes a single piece outsole 204a with a herringbone tread pattern that extends continuously to support an entire plantar surface of a wearer's foot. Portions of the outsole 204a wrap up around the side of the footwear structure 200 at some locations, e.g., to provide additional support, wear resistance, and/or other properties at those locations. More specifically, as shown in the figures, the outsole 204a of this example wraps upward and around the side of the shoe 200 in the forward toe area, at the lateral midfoot/forefoot area (behind upper lateral supports 210L), around the entire the heel area (or, optionally, around one or more separated portions of the heel area), at the arch area, and at the medial midfoot/forefoot area (behind upper medial supports 210M). The outsole 204a may wrap around the side edges of the footwear structure 200 at locations where the securing strap components are located and secured, as will be described in more detail below.
Also, while the outsole 204a is the only sole structure visible in this example shoe 200 construction, the shoe 200 may include other sole components, as well, such as midsole and/or insole components. A midsole provided in this shoe 200 may have the form of a polymeric foam material, e.g., located between the outsole structure 204a and a bottom surface (e.g., a strobel member) of the upper 202, located within the foot-receiving chamber 206 of the upper 202, etc. Other sole structure options are possible without departing from this invention, such as one or more of: one or more impact-force attenuating columns (akin to SHOX type footwear products available from NIKE, Inc. of Beaverton, Oreg.); one or more fluid-filled bladders (akin to AIR type footwear products available from NIKE, Inc. of Beaverton, Oreg.); one or more lugs and/or sipes (e.g., to provide more natural motion, akin to sole structures used in FREE type footwear products available from NIKE, Inc. of Beaverton, Oreg.); mechanical shock absorbing structures; etc.
While a more conventional tongue structure and lacing system could be included in this article of footwear 200, in this illustrated example, the fabric instep covering component 220a of the closure member 220 is fixed to other portions of the upper 202 along the instep area (e.g., by stitching or sewn seams), e.g., up to the location of the soft free end 220b and/or its attachment to the upper 202. Instep covering component 220a may provide sufficient stretchability to accommodate insertion and removal of the foot from the foot-receiving chamber 206. The rear edges 222 of the soft free end 220b of the closure member 220 are fixed to the upper 202 inside the foot-insertion opening 208 via a pair of elastic straps 224 (one strap 224 on the lateral side and one strap 224 on the medial side, each strap 224 being less than about 1 inch wide). The elastic straps 224 help keep the closure member 220 correctly positioned with respect to the foot and readily accessible to the wearer (e.g., so the free end 220b does not slip down into the foot-receiving chamber 206), while providing adequate stretchability (via elastic straps 224) to allow insertion and removal of the foot from chamber 206.
Additional aspects of the illustrated example footwear securing system now will be described in more detail, additionally with reference to
While other structures are possible, in this illustrated example, the exterior footwear support member 234 constitutes a relatively heavy leather (natural or synthetic) or textile component (e.g., a thermoplastic polyurethane) or a plastic component that extends around the rear heel area outside of the heel counter element 218 and functions as a heel reinforcement element. Optionally, however, if desired, the support member 234 also may constitute a heel counter type element and/or it may be integrally formed with a heel counter element 218. Also, while not a requirement, in this illustrated example, the support member 234 extends forward along the side edges of the footwear structure 200 and forms the lateral and medial supports 210L and 210M, respectively. The support member 234 may be engaged with other portions of the upper 202 construction (e.g., skin layer 212, mesh layer 214, heel counter 218, etc.) in any desired manner, including in manners conventionally known and used in the art, such as one or more of: sewing or stitching; adhesive, cements, or hot melt; mechanical connectors; etc.
The tensioning components 230L, 230M may have any desired construction or structure without departing from the invention. In this illustrated example, the tensioning components 230L, 230M constitute structures that engage a strap for a securing system and structures against which a strap may apply a force to tighten the securing system (and thus tighten the fit of the shoe 200 on a wearer's foot). The illustrated tensioning components 230L, 230M are loops or ring shaped elements (e.g., D-rings, O-rings, C-rings, etc.) that, optionally together with the strap 232L, 232M, form an enclosure through which the strap is threaded, as will be described in more detail below. The tensioning components 230L, 230M provide a turning location for the strap, as will be described in more detail below.
The securing system of this illustrated example further includes two strap portions 240A and 240B that at least partially wrap around and engage upper 202 and the wearer's foot. The strap portions 240A and 240B may constitute separate straps or they may constitute opposite ends of a single strap or other component (e.g., a strap or other component that extends beneath the plantar support surface from the medial side edge to the lateral side edge of the shoe 200). As shown, in this illustrated example shoe structure 200, a first strap portion 240A: (a) emerges from its engagement location between the sole member 204 and the upper 202 at the medial midfoot/forefoot area of the shoe 200, (b) extends across the instep area, and (c) engages the lateral strap tensioning component 230L, at which location the extension direction of the first strap portion 240A abruptly turns. After wrapping around the lateral strap tensioning component 230L, the first strap portion 240A extends in front of the foot-insertion opening 208 and around to the medial ankle side of the upper 202. A medial strap securing component 242M may be provided on the medial ankle side of the upper (e.g., located on the medial side of the foot-insertion opening 208) for securing a free end 246A of the first strap portion 240A. This securing connection between the free end 246A of the first strap portion 240A and the medial strap securing component 242M may be a hook-and-loop fastener type connection, a buckle type connection, a snap type connection, a button type connection, etc. The medial strap securing component 242M may be located in the vertical direction (with the shoe 200 standing on its sole 204 on a horizontal surface S) between the foot-insertion opening 208 and the medial strap tensioning component 232M, in at least some example structures according to this invention.
In a similar manner, in this illustrated example shoe structure 200, a second strap portion 240B: (a) emerges from its engagement location between the sole member 204 and the upper 202 at the lateral midfoot/forefoot area of the shoe 200, (b) extends across the instep area, and (c) engages the medial strap tensioning component 230M, at which location the extension direction of the second strap portion 240B abruptly turns. After wrapping around the medial strap tensioning component 230M, the second strap portion 240B extends in front of the foot-insertion opening 208 and around to the lateral ankle side of the upper 202. A lateral strap securing component 242L may be provided on the lateral ankle side of the upper (e.g., located on the lateral side of the foot-insertion opening 208) for securing a free end 246B of the second strap portion 240B. This securing connection between the free end 246B of the second strap portion 240B and the lateral strap securing component 242L may be a hook-and-loop fastener type connection, a buckle type connection, a snap type connection, a button type connection, etc. The lateral strap securing component 242L may be located in the vertical direction between the foot-insertion opening 208 and the lateral strap tensioning component 232L, in at least some example structures according to this invention. As shown in the figures, in this illustrated structure, when fully engaged, the first strap portion 240A and the second strap portion 240B cross one another two times at two separated crossing locations (e.g., once in the instep area 270 of the upper 202 and once again rearward (and upward) from the first, instep area location and near the foot-insertion opening). The two strap portions 240A, 240B may cross over one another in any desired stacking layer order without departing from the invention (e.g., either strap 240A, 240B may be on top at either crossing location).
Footwear 200 and their securing system structures in accordance with at least some examples of this invention may have at least some of the properties described below. For example, as illustrated in
Other features and characteristics of at least some example footwear/foot-receiving device structures 200 according to this invention may be described with reference to a predetermined orientation of the article of footwear/foot-receiving device 200 or component thereof as described above with respect to
As another example feature in accordance with some aspects of this invention, with the article of footwear 200 oriented on a horizontal surface S in the manner described above: (a) a rear edge 260A of the first strap portion 240A may meet (or emerge from) the sole structure 204 at the medial side of the upper 202 at a location 262A forward of a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and located at a position 0.55L along the longitudinal direction (measured forward from the rearmost heel RH location), and/or (b) a rear edge 260B of the second strap portion 240B may meet (or emerge from) the sole structure 204 at the lateral side of the upper 202 at a second location forward of the plane located at position 0.55L. In some example structures in accordance with this invention, the rear edge(s) 260A and/or 260B of strap portions 240A, 240B, respectively, may meet (or emerge from) the sole structure 204 at their respective medial or lateral sides of the upper 202 forward of planes perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and located at: (a) positions 0.5L forward from the rearmost heel RH location, (b) positions 0.6L forward from the rearmost heel RH location, (c) positions 0.65L forward of the rearmost heel RH location, (d) positions 0.7L forward of the rearmost heel RH location, and/or (e) positions 0.75L forward of the rearmost heel RH location. In some examples, the rear edge(s) 260A and/or 260B may meet (or emerge from) the sole structure 204 at their respective medial or lateral sides of the upper 202 between two spaced, parallel planes perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and located at: (a) positions 0.5L and 0.75L forward from the rearmost heel RH location and/or (b) positions 0.55L and 0.7L forward from the rearmost heel RH location.
As another example feature, if desired, the entire width of the strap portions 240A and 240B (i.e., both the forward edges 250A, 250B and the rear edges 260A, 260B) may be located at any of the longitudinal positions and/or within any of the longitudinal positional ranges (e.g., with respect to the planes perpendicular to the longitudinal direction) described above for forward edges 250A, 250B and/or for the rear edges 260A, 260B. Additionally or alternatively, rather than emerging from and/or being fixed between the upper 202 and the sole structure 204 at the noted longitudinal positions, the strap portions 240A and/or 240B may be fixedly engaged with the upper 202 and/or sole structure 204 at any of the above-noted longitudinal positions and/or within any of the above-noted longitudinal positional ranges, e.g., along the side or edge of the upper 202 and/or sole structure 204. This fixed engagement may be accomplished, for example, by sewing or stitching; by mechanical connectors; by adhesives, cements, or fusing techniques; and/or by other desired means.
The width W of the strap portion 240A at the location where it emerges from the medial side of the sole (e.g., the direct dimension between forward edge 250A and rear edge 260A just above the sole member 204a on the medial side) may be about 40 mm in this illustrated example structure (or in some example structures, about 55 mm). Likewise, the width W of the strap portion 240B at the location where it emerges from the lateral side of the sole (e.g., the direct dimension between forward edge 250B and rear edge 260B just above the sole member 204a on the lateral side) may be about 40 mm in the illustrated example structure (or in some example structures, about 55 mm). At the lateral and medial side strap turning locations (described in more detail below, e.g., at tensioning components 230L, 230M), the width W of straps 240A and/or 240B may be about 25 mm in this illustrated example structure (or in some example structures, about 30 or 35 mm). At their free ends 246A and 246B, straps 240A and/or 240B may be about 20 mm wide (or in some examples about 25 mm). The strap width dimensions may taper over at least some portion of its length, change at a constant or varying rate over at least some portion of its length, change in a stepwise manner, etc., without departing from this invention.
Additional features and aspects of at least some examples of this invention may relate to the longitudinal positioning of the tensioning components 230L, 230M (and thus the locations at which the strap portions 240A, 240B abruptly turn associated with these example tensioning components 230L, 230M (also called “turning locations” herein)). The “turning locations” in this illustrated example are the locations on the tensioning components 230L, 230M around which the strap portions 240A, 240B partially wrap to change direction (and about which force is applied to the tensioning components 230L, 230M when the strap portions 240A, 240B are pulled to tighten them). As described above in conjunction with
While they may be provided at other locations, the “turning locations” and the tensioning members 230L and 230M that provide them in this illustrated example are located somewhat forward and downward from a location of a wearer's medial and/or lateral malleolus protuberances (i.e., the boney protrusions at the ankles) when a wearer's foot is secured in an article of footwear 200 that is properly sized for the wearer's foot. This arrangement and orientation of the tensioning members 230L and 230M can provide a more comfortable fit and feel (e.g., the straps and/or tensioning members 230L, 230M will not put pressure on the malleolus protuberances) when the straps are tightened, as will be described in more detail below.
Securing the footwear securing system now will be described in more detail with reference again to
From the disengagement arrangement shown in
The tensioning components 230L and 230M allow the free ends 246A, 246B of the strap portions 240A, 240B to be pulled to securely engage the shoe 200 with a wearer's foot. As one step, the free end 246B of strap portion 240B is pulled tight around tensioning component 230M and stretched around and in front of the foot-insertion opening 208 (in front of the tongue portion 220b). From there, the strap portion 240B further extends along the lateral side of the foot-insertion opening 208 to a securing component 242L provided on the upper 202 (and/or optionally on the sole structure 204). Some area of the strap portion 240B (e.g., its free end 246B) may include a corresponding securing component 248B for engaging the securing component 242L. Similarly (and optionally at the same time), the free end 246A of strap portion 240A is pulled tight around tensioning component 230L and stretched around and in front of the foot-insertion opening 208 (in front of the tongue portion 220b). From there, the strap portion 240A further extends along the medial side of the foot-insertion opening 208 to a securing component 242M provided on the upper 202 (and/or optionally on the sole structure 204). Some area of the strap portion 240A (e.g., its free end 246A) may include a corresponding securing component 248A for engaging the securing component 242M. As shown in
The two illustrated crossing locations may constitute the only strap crossing locations for strap portions 240A, 240B in some example footwear structures 200 according to the invention (and these two crossing locations may constitute the only strap crossing locations in the entire shoe structure 200). Also, if desired, the strap portions 240A, 240B may change in width over the course of their length (e.g., in a tapered or stepped manner). Optionally, a wider strap portion width may be provided nearer to the engagement/emerging location(s) at the midfoot/forefoot area of the shoe 200 as compared to a narrower strap portion width that may be provided in the area(s) through tensioning members 230L, 230M and/or near/at the free ends 246A, 246B. The two strap portions 240A, 240B may constitute the only straps and/or the only footwear securing components forward of the 0.4L plane for securing the shoe 200 to a foot, optionally without the presence of a conventional footwear lace type securing system. In some examples of this invention, the width of a strap portion may vary such that the widths at the emerging locations (“WE”), the widths at the turning locations (“WT”), and the widths at the free ends (“WF”) follow one or more of the following relationships:
WT=0.3WE to 0.7WE
WF=0.2WE to 0.6WE
WF=0.5WT to 1.0WT
WF=0.5WT to 0.8WT
The securing components 242L, 242M, 248A, and 248B may be any desired type of securing component structure, such as a hook-and-loop type fastener system, a buckle type fastener, a button type fastener, a snap type fastener, etc. Alternatively or additionally, if desired, the free ends 246A and 246B of the strap portions 240A and 240B may be engaged together, e.g., by tying, snaps, buttons, buckles, etc. The free ends 246A, 246B also could be engaged with a mechanical component, such as a take up reel or other device around which excess strap (e.g., 240A, 240B) may be wound for storage.
In at least some examples of this invention, including the example shown in
Alternatively, if desired, shoe structures in accordance with some examples of this invention may include a conventional lacing system (e.g., including a more conventional tongue (e.g., one not sewn shut and fixed to the upper along the instep area), a conventional shoe lace, and conventional eyelets or other lace engaging structures), e.g., located beneath the strap portions 240A, 240B. The inclusion of the additional and more conventional lace features may be useful to provide shoe models that allow the instep area to be opened wider for insertion of the foot (e.g., as compared to the more sewn up, fixed, and closed off tongue and instep area shown in the embodiment of
First, the strap components 340A and 340B of this illustrated example are somewhat wider than the strap components 240A and 240B shown in the illustrated example of
The free ends 360C of the strap components 340A and 340B in this illustrated example structure 300 also differ from the examples shown above in conjunction with
As shown in
If desired, the strap elements 370 on the lateral and medial sides of the foot-receiving opening may be separate components that are separately engaged with the footwear upper such that one end of the strap element 370 is secured to the upper (and includes the fastener component 372 thereon) and the other end of the strap element 370 is the free end 370A that threads through the tensioning component 320. Alternatively, if desired, a single strap element 370 may wrap around the rear portion of the foot-receiving opening such that the free ends 370A on the lateral and medial sides are opposite ends of a single strap (e.g., and the center of this single strap may be fixed to the upper at the foot-receiving opening area and/or pass through the rear loop 374 around the rear of the upper to join the lateral and medial sides of the strap element 370).
As shown in
As evident from
Like the example shown in
Alternatively, if desired, shoe structures in accordance with some examples of this invention may include a conventional lacing system (e.g., including a more conventional tongue (not sewn shut and fixed at the instep area), a conventional shoe lace, and conventional eyelets or other lace engaging structures), e.g., located beneath the strap portions 340A, 340B. The inclusion of the additional and more conventional lace features may be useful to provide shoe models that allow the instep area to be opened wider for insertion of the foot (e.g., as compared to the more sewn up, fixed, and closed off tongue and/or instep area shown in the embodiment of
In the final upper product, the ends 402A of the foam pillow component 402 may be located somewhat upward and rearward of the strap turning locations, e.g., the turning locations defined by the tensioning components 230L, 230M, 330L, 330M. Additionally, the central area 402B of the foam pillow component 402 extends around the rear heel/Achilles area of the foot when the shoe is worn. The foam pillow component 402 helps fill in areas around the rear and ankle portion of the foot to provide a more stable and secure feel when the upper is secured to the foot and provide a soft, comfortable feel.
II. CONCLUSIONThe present invention is disclosed above and in the accompanying drawings with reference to a variety of embodiments and/or options. The purpose served by the disclosure, however, is to provide examples of various features and concepts related to the invention, not to limit the scope of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that numerous variations and modifications may be made to the features of the invention described above without departing from the scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. An article of footwear, comprising:
- an upper defining a foot-insertion opening, a lateral ankle side, a medial ankle side, and an instep area forward of the foot-insertion opening, wherein the upper includes: a medial strap tensioning component located on the medial ankle side, and a lateral strap tensioning component located on the lateral ankle side;
- a sole structure engaged with the upper; and
- a securing system engaged with the upper, wherein the securing system includes: a first strap portion having a first terminal end permanently secured on a medial side of the upper, extending across the instep area, engaging the lateral strap tensioning component, extending in front of the foot-insertion opening, and having a second terminal end removably secured to the medial ankle side, and a second strap portion having a first terminal end permanently secured on a lateral side of the upper, extending across the instep area, engaging the medial strap tensioning component, extending in front of the foot-insertion opening, and having a second terminal end removably secured to the lateral ankle side,
- wherein the first and second strap portions cross one another at two separated crossing locations.
2. An article of footwear according to claim 1, further comprising:
- a medial strap securing component located on the medial side of the foot-insertion opening for securing the second end of the first strap portion, wherein the medial strap securing component is located between the foot-insertion opening and the medial strap tensioning component; and
- a lateral strap securing component located on the lateral side of the foot-insertion opening for securing the second end of the second strap portion, wherein the lateral strap securing component is located between the foot-insertion opening and the lateral strap tensioning component.
3. An article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the medial strap tensioning component and the lateral strap tensioning component are engaged with a heel reinforcement component that extends around a rear heel area of the upper from the medial strap tensioning component to the lateral strap tensioning component.
4. An article of footwear according to claim 3, wherein the heel reinforcement component includes a heel counter structure.
5. An article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the article of footwear is a high-top basketball shoe.
6. An article of footwear, comprising:
- an upper defining a foot-insertion opening, a lateral side, a medial side, and an instep area, wherein the upper includes: a medial strap tensioning component located on the medial side of the foot-insertion opening, a lateral strap tensioning component located on the lateral side of the foot-insertion opening, a medial strap securing component located on the medial side of the foot-insertion opening and between the medial strap tensioning component and the foot-insertion opening, and a lateral strap securing component located on the lateral side of the foot-insertion opening and between the lateral strap tensioning component and the foot-insertion opening;
- a sole structure engaged with the upper, wherein the upper and the sole structure meet at a medial edge and a lateral edge of the article of footwear; and
- a securing system engaged with the upper, wherein the securing system includes: a first strap portion having a first terminal end permanently positioned at the medial edge, extending across the instep area, engaging the lateral strap tensioning component, extending in front of the foot-insertion opening, and having a second terminal end removably secured to the upper with the medial strap securing component, and a second strap portion having a first terminal end permanently positioned at the lateral edge, extending across the instep area, engaging the medial strap tensioning component, extending in front of the foot-insertion opening, and having a second terminal end removably secured to the upper with the lateral strap securing component,
- wherein the first and second strap portions cross one another at a first crossing location at the instep area of the upper and at a second crossing location located rearward from the first crossing location.
7. An article of footwear according to claim 6, wherein the first strap portion and the second strap portion are provided as separate strap components.
8. An article of footwear according to claim 6, wherein the first strap portion is fixedly engaged between the upper and the sole structure at a first strap engagement location located forward of the first crossing location, and wherein the second strap portion is fixedly engaged between the upper and the sole structure at a second strap engagement location located forward of the first crossing location.
9. An article of footwear according to claim 8, wherein when a bottom surface of the sole structure rests on a horizontal surface:
- (a) the sole structure defines a longitudinal direction and a longitudinal length L from a rearmost heel location to a forwardmost toe location,
- (b) a forward edge of the first strap portion meets the sole structure at the medial edge at a first location forward of a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and located at a position 0.6L along the longitudinal direction, measured forward from the rearmost heel location, and
- (c) a forward edge of the second strap portion meets the sole structure at the lateral edge at a second location forward of the plane located at position 0.6L.
10. An article of footwear according to claim 8, wherein when a bottom surface of the sole structure rests on a horizontal surface:
- (a) the sole structure defines a longitudinal direction and a longitudinal length L from a rearmost heel location to a forwardmost toe location,
- (b) a rear edge of the first strap portion meets the sole structure at the medial edge at a first location forward of a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and located at a position 0.55L along the longitudinal direction, measured forward from the rearmost heel location, and
- (c) a rear edge of the second strap portion meets the sole structure at the lateral edge at a second location forward of the plane located at position 0.55L.
11. An article of footwear according to claim 6, wherein the medial strap securing component is a portion of a first hook-and-loop fastener located adjacent the medial side of the foot-insertion opening, and wherein the lateral strap securing component is a portion of a second hook-and-loop fastener located adjacent the lateral side of the foot-insertion opening.
12. An article of footwear according to claim 6, wherein the medial strap tensioning component includes a first component around which the second strap portion wraps to change an extension direction of the second strap portion, and wherein the lateral strap tensioning component includes a second component around which the first strap portion wraps to change an extension direction of the first strap portion.
13. An article of footwear according to claim 6, wherein the medial strap tensioning component includes a first loop through which the second strap portion extends, and wherein the lateral strap tensioning component includes a second loop through which the first strap portion extends.
14. An article of footwear according to claim 6, wherein the medial strap tensioning component defines a medial turning location for the second strap portion and the lateral strap tensioning component defines a lateral turning location for the first strap portion.
15. An article of footwear according to claim 14, wherein when a bottom surface of the sole structure rests on a horizontal surface:
- the sole structure defines a longitudinal direction and a longitudinal length L from a rearmost heel location to a forwardmost toe location,
- (a) at least some portion of the medial turning location is located rearward of a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and located at a position 0.4L along the longitudinal direction, measured forward from the rearmost heel location, and
- (b) at least some portion of the lateral turning location is located rearward of the plane located at position 0.4L.
16. An article of footwear according to claim 15, wherein when the bottom surface of the sole structure rests on a horizontal surface:
- (a) a forward edge of the first strap portion meets the sole structure at the medial edge at a first location forward of a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and located at a position 0.6L along the longitudinal direction, measured forward from the rearmost heel location, and
- (b) a forward edge of the second strap portion meets the sole structure at the lateral edge at a second location forward of the plane located at position 0.6L.
17. An article of footwear according to claim 15, wherein when the bottom surface of the sole structure rests on a horizontal surface:
- a rear edge of the first strap portion meets the sole structure at the medial edge at a first location forward of a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and located at a position 0.55L along the longitudinal direction, measured forward from the rearmost heel location, and (a) a rear edge of the second strap portion meets the sole structure at the lateral edge at a second location forward of the plane located at position 0.55L.
18. An article of footwear according to claim 14, wherein when a bottom surface of the sole structure rests on a horizontal surface:
- the sole structure defines a longitudinal direction and a longitudinal length L from a rearmost heel location to a forwardmost toe location,
- (a) all of the medial turning location is located rearward of a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and located at a position 0.4L along the longitudinal direction, measured forward from the rearmost heel location, and
- (b) all of the lateral turning location is located rearward of the plane located at position 0.4L.
19. An article of footwear according to claim 18, wherein when the bottom surface of the sole structure rests on a horizontal surface:
- a forward edge of the first strap portion meets the sole structure at the medial edge at a first location forward of a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and located at a position 0.6L along the longitudinal direction, measured forward from the rearmost heel location, and
- (a) a forward edge of the second strap portion meets the sole structure at the lateral edge at a second location forward of the plane located at position 0.6L.
20. An article of footwear according to claim 18, wherein when the bottom surface of the sole structure rests on a horizontal surface:
- a rear edge of the first strap portion meets the sole structure at the medial edge at a first location forward of a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and located at a position 0.55L along the longitudinal direction, measured forward from the rearmost heel location, and
- (a) a rear edge of the second strap portion meets the sole structure at the lateral edge at a second location forward of the plane located at position 0.55L.
21. An article of footwear according to claim 14, wherein when a bottom surface of the sole structure rests on a horizontal surface:
- (a) the sole structure defines a longitudinal direction and a longitudinal length L from a rearmost heel location to a forwardmost toe location,
- (b) at least some portion of the medial turning location is located between two spaced, parallel planes perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and located at positions 0.2L and 0.45L, respectively, along the longitudinal direction, measured forward from the rearmost heel location, and
- (c) at least some portion of the lateral turning location is located between the two spaced, parallel planes.
22. An article of footwear according to claim 14, wherein when a bottom surface of the sole structure rests on a horizontal surface:
- (a) the sole structure defines a longitudinal direction and a longitudinal length L from a rearmost heel location to a forwardmost toe location,
- (b) all of the medial turning location is located between two spaced, parallel planes perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and located at positions 0.2L and 0.45L, respectively, along the longitudinal direction, measured forward from the rearmost heel location, and
- (c) all of the lateral turning location is located between the two spaced, parallel planes.
23. An article of footwear according to claim 6, wherein the article of footwear is a basketball shoe.
24. An article of footwear according to claim 6, wherein the article of footwear is a high-top basketball shoe.
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Type: Grant
Filed: Apr 21, 2015
Date of Patent: Mar 6, 2018
Patent Publication Number: 20160309844
Assignee: NIKE, Inc. (Beaverton, OR)
Inventors: Mark J. Smith (Portland, OR), Adam R. Welliver (Beaverton, OR)
Primary Examiner: Megan Lynch
Application Number: 14/691,792
International Classification: A43C 11/14 (20060101); A43B 3/12 (20060101); A43B 5/00 (20060101); A43B 7/20 (20060101);